Which statement best describes why a clearance that requires greater than normal taxiing power should be avoided?

• A. It could create excessive ground speed
• B. It could cause tailwind
• C. It could require heavy aircraft to use more power than normal
• D. It could cause saturation

Answer: (C)

Moving a heavy aircraft on the ground with more thrust than normal makes ground handling more difficult. When a clearance calls for greater than normal taxi power, you’re asking the engines to operate at a higher thrust level during taxi, which reduces your ability to control speed and direction at very low taxi speeds. That increased power raises acceleration, makes steering with the nose wheel and brakes harder to manage, and can create hazards for people and equipment nearby due to stronger jet blast or prop wash. So the statement that best describes this clearance is that it could require heavy aircraft to use more power than normal.

The other options don’t fit as the main issue: excessive ground speed is a potential outcome but it’s the result, not the reason; tailwind isn’t related to the need for more power; saturation isn’t a typical taxi-ground clearance concern.